Could Life Survive? - Glossary

the plural form of bacterium; bacterium are single-celled microorganisms that live in soil, water, organic matter, or on the bodies of plants and animals

Dormant

inactive

Extremophiles

organisms, usually single-celled, which can live in environments that would be considered extreme or hostile for most living organisms

Habitable; habitability

suitable for life

Inhibit

to stop or slow

pH

scale that ranges from 0 to 14 and is a tool used by scientists to measure the strength of an acid or base; 7 represents a neutral; lower numbers indicate increasing acidity and higher numbers indicate stronger bases

Spores

simple, usually single-celled reproductive bodies produced by plants and some microorganisms; often dormant during extreme temperatures and conditions